The dwarf still cleans a tankard as he speaks.
"He was renting a room here, either he left unseen or something happened. The guards found a booklet.
Since items left behind are considered abandoned, it is in my possession, but it's in a strange writing i've not seen, have a look. You can have a look in his room, but don't expect too much, as the guards had a search already. Up the stairs, 2nd door to the right."
He hands Elsa small booklet.
Unsettling to her, looking upon the cover, is a small seal of a icy throne flanked by two ice prisms, symbol of Whitethrone.
Its passages are entirely in Skald.
Aside from general and insignificant writings, the pages of the last week or two, catch Elsa's eye.
Jeg har kigget efter 'hende "for omkring 2 uger nu.
Så vidt jeg kunne finde ud af, har hun tiltrådte op med en lille gruppe, som i endnu, uidentificerede personer.
Hvorvidt disse mennesker er en del af en plan eller nogle tilfældige fremmede, er endnu uvist. Det betyder dog, at gøre min opgave vanskeligere. Med sneen Falcons har undladt at levere resultater, det falder mig at finde hende.
En gennembrud, jeg har kaldt på en tjeneste, og jeg har nu en destination, hvor hun potentielt ville blive ledet inden for den næste uge, men uden detaljer om et sæt dag, jeg kan gøre, er at vente.
I've looked for 'her' for about 2 weeks now.
As far as i could find out, she has joined up with a small group of, as of yet, unidentified individuals.
Whether these people are part of a plan or some random strangers, remains to be seen. It does, however, make my task more difficult. With the Snow Falcons having failed to deliver results, it falls to me to find her.
A breakthrough, i've called in a favor and i now have a destination of where she would potentially be headed within the next week, but without details on a set day, all i can do is wait.
Well this is not good. Not good at all Grint. It seems my Mother and Sisters have found my whereabouts...
Grint looks at the writing and peruses through it, then shrugs.
"Some words look similar to Taldan, but the rest I'm unable to understand. You can read this Elsa?" Grint says as she is probably reading the text by now.
"Your mother and sisters? Isn't it a good thing to be found by one's own family?"
Not this one's family Grint....they are vindictive and vile. Whomever they sent after me, we should consider them very dangerous.. it is a good thing that we have some foreknowledge yes?
Thorn nods to Sivar though only in cursory acknowledgement.
To the dwarf Thorn takes on a sullen visage shaking his head, " No, I do not s-seek the t-teachings of Torag. I-I have my own L-lord. T-today I speak of a s-service you m-may provide. D-Due to my sheer failure a-as a companion. I-i allowed one t-to fall before me. I w-wish to restore t-them to the l-living, as she h-had much to accomplish and O-Only died due to my i-inabilty to defeat a f-foe. I-I will pay what is needed. "
"Likewise, it is good to see you, too. I haven't had many converts, but I have found some lost tools.", Burdock smiling until Thorn makes his request.
"You be right; I am aiding Thorn here in his personal redemption. She passed only a few days ago, so the Forgefather should still be able to retrieve her soul from the Boneyard. I tried to preserve the body as best I could; she was a short time ally of mine, too, lost in an engagement against an evil cult... one I'll need to talk to you about, too.", the dwarf resting the mysterious tome into his think hands.
Turk folds his hands, while he listens to your tale.
"Aye, within a few days, Torag can pull her soul back.
It is not within my power to bring her back...yet.
The elder priests do, however but that doesn't come cheap, you realize.
They are old fashioned dwarves, who either take alot of coin, or ask for you to perform a task."
He ponders in thought...
"Word has reached, that the tunnels leading to the Darklands have been less quiet as of late, something is stirring down there. I wouldn't be surprised if they'd ask something related to it.
If that turns out to be the case, you wouldn't back down from a little danger, would you?"
...."A cult? You've gotten yourself into quite a situation, tell me more."
-------------------------
Sivar listens to the tale intently
Thorn nods acknowledging the facts, " I-I understand it is n-not easy n-nor inexpensive. I w-will do whatever I m-must. I-If you would rather I o-offer everything I have o-or deal with t-this disturbance... s-so be it. I-I am grateful f-for you consideration F-Father Turk. "
He gives a deep bow, the normally shorter dark-skinned man accommodated for the Dwarf who was shorter than himself.
"Crazed fools of Yog-Sothoth, one of the gods from the Dark Tapestry. We've come across their work a couple of times now: once in an old dwarven ruin converted into a mental asylum and another in a small village we crossed by on our way here."
"Any other specifics about the Darklands tunnel? I thought the regular patrols handled that work.", Burdock showing some concern.
Turk raises a brow in concern.
"One of those mentioned in lore?
By Torag's beard, that is indeed bad news. I haven't heard of cults to one of those in a long time, and the libraries and church records are vast, as you know."
He strokes his beard in thought.
"It's only hear-tell of course, but there's been more attacks from the duergar, based upon the many arrows shot at the troops.
They ususally aren't this brazen, something must have set them on edge."
Grint spots some marks on the window.
Someone had used it as either an entrance or an exit.
A small vial had rolled underneath a small bedside table. Labeled with a snowflake, Elsa recognizes it as a potion of invisibility.
"Look at this Elsa, someone was here, someone that didn't use a door to get in or out or both. Maybe someone who wished the man harm?"
Or maybe he wished to enter his room via the window? I've found that strange things happen wherever we happen to be Grint.
" T-The enemy had escaped. P-perhaps they a-are the s-source? I h-hear Duegar are insane. A g-god of insanity, a c-cult would cause s-something. "
Turk: "No lad, duergar are far from insane by nature.
Sly, sneaky and cruel, those are the words to describe them. Anyone willingly venturing into their tunnels would be the crazy one, but if anyone did go down there, they'd have to have more cunning than the duergar, who can see in the dark even farther than us dwarves can.
Anyway.., if you want to get your friend back from the boneyard, we'd best get moving to the grand church of Torag above ground."
He makes pose for you to follow him.
---------
Elsa & Grint:
Thorn nodded and proceeded to follow.
Father Burdock, Sivar and Thorn follow Turk to the grand church of Torag, the one above ground that is...
Turk: "Here it is.", as he pushes open its solid double doors.
'Grand cathedral' could be taken with a grain of salt, as a normal sized cathedral for medium sized people is of the same size.
The decorations are firm and refined. A large plaque of a stout dwarf in chain, bearing Torag's holy symbol, decorates the back behind the altar.
The walls are more of rugged design, emphasizing practicality and dedication over the fancy decorations many other deities get in their churches, yet banners with Torag's symbol hang majestically on both sides.
Turk : "Wait here for a moment, while i get you an audience with the elder priests here."
He walks yonder, leaving you alone for about 15 minutes.
"Still plan on traveling with us after you return the lass Tessa from the Boneyard?", Burdock asks.
Sivar stays silent attempting to be as inconspicuous as possible.
Elsa and Grint are still pondering their investigation, for several hours.
During which, the other three have just received an audience with the elder priests.
They aren't particularly special looking, as most clergy are, save for their more formal attire.
Elder: "Reverent Turk has brought to our attention, you wish someone restored to life.
How long ago has the poor soul left this world? Is he, or she, preserved somewhere?"
Thorn looked to Father Burdock thoughtfully, " The reason we have originally j-joined your g-group was for f-funding for L-Lady Tessa's sake. A F-friend of hers. W-We were guided to you b-by someone. W-While I w-will assist you as best I c-can I cannot say I will a-abandon Lady T-Tessa if we find information t-that separates us. " His face was resolute if his words were not.
-----------
Thorn bowed and spoke, " Y-Yes, s-she had died -about 3 or so days a-ago. F-Father Burdock has b-been keeping her well p-preserved. "
"I see; would be a shame to lose your sword arm. Your chops would put some dwarves' axe skills to shame.", Burdock responding to Thorn's reply.
He nods to Thorn's answer to the elders. "Aye, I tried my best, although rigor had already passed by the time we found her."
Elder: "Hmhm..well as long as her remains are not in state of serious decay, Torag's blessing can work. Where is she?"
" S-Strength without p-proper application is j0just glorified w-weakness. " He responded to Burdock.
" I-In a casket the p-people we rescued were k-kind enough to give. I can g-go retrieve her... b-but what of payment? "
"The materials required for channeling the energies to bring her back, cost 5000gp all together. If you are not able to pay that much, you will have to find high quality diamond yourself, be it polished or rough.
If you go for the rough, we will just charge the fee of 1000gp of processing it to it's required quality. If you're not afraid of taking risk, you might find some rough suitable diamonds in the darklands. Our ancient homes, which our forefathers abandoned to reach the surface, might have some.
Despite being our darker cousins, sort of speak, Duerger are also appreciative of gems and diamonds."
The short man mused at the price, the possibility and danger included, his eye went to Father Burdock, " I am not sure w-what of your reasoning for traveling to this l-land with your comrades, but I u-understand if that t-takes precedence over this. T-Though it seems to c-coincide with the troubles of this land, t-that does not mean it is y-your issue. "
He turned back to the Elders and bowed, " I-I will seek either m-method, s-sadly all that I w-wear does not add up t-to that b-but if a can m-make the difference by d-doing so from m-my expense alone I will s-sell all I have. "
Elder: "Without your equipment, you won't be able to fight off Duerger, you know. There might be more of value down there, than you currently think."
" I would not c-completely disarm myself.. that would be folly. T-There is an amount of p-practicality. I-I would simply have.. m-mundane equipment. I w-will take you word for it. "I
"It will be wiser Thorn to see what we can find in the tunnels first before having you salvage your equipment. Also need to remember that even at your height, you're a bit thin for a dwarf for resale. Think of aiding the Janderhoff as part of your payment in spirit alongside the resources necessary required for Tessa's return."
" An Axe knows no size.. but t-to the rest you are.. correct. I will do what is needed. I Will ask that a r-relocate her place here. I r-rather not something u-unnecessary to happen w-while I am c-completing this t-task. "
"I will accompany you, not because I owe but because it is right to do. I think I will find the information I seek in time, for now I think a bit of selflessness may be what I need."
"Thank you; any extra arms against the duegar will always be appreciated. Let us round up lass Elsa and Grint and see if they will accompany us in this task."
Burdock pauses for a moment, remembering something. "There's also the warehouse that's worth checking out, too. Aiding the guards in an investigation should help us get their support, too."
Thorn gives a furtive nod.
Grint shrugs at Elsa's comment. "Perhaps, though usually people doing that are up to no good or need to amke their escape quickly. You suppose he knew we were in town? Also is this guy someone we should track down?"
I'm sure he means nothing good. He will come to us eventually I am sure of it.... Elsa says, not deigning to acknowledge any threat to her person.
As you come downstairs again, the tavern keep looks at you both.
"No luck, i assume? It's hard to track someone who's suddenly disappeared after all."
*Proceeds polishing a tankard*
Outside in the streets, a fuss is going on.
Dwarf #1: "Hey, did you hear?
There was a fight going on earlier today. Some bearded human with a mohawk was throwing some projectile towards a hooded figure. Mysterious business i tell you."
Dwarf #2: "Aye, i heard. I also heard the hooded one threw a hatchet in return, thing was lodged firmly in an even more solid wooden wall. Guards couldn't pull it out just yet. Around the blacksmiths right?"
Both parties hear of skirmishes between two unknown characters on occasion during their trips around the city.
Tales place them between just before the break of dawn and 10:00 in the morning. Mostly in alleys or streets not yet crowded by Janderhoff's citizens and always when there are no guards around.
The last sighting was near the blacksmith called 'Ironhammer', from both parties a mere half an hour away.
Thorn goes and relocates Tessa's remains at the church if possible then seeks out this area for information. He tries to ask the guards stationed there for any particular clues.
On request from Turk, Tessa's body is kept in the funeral preparations room, where for the time being a gentle reposte is cast upon her body until your return.
The guards share that the projectiles dissipated upon impact, only briefly consisting of matter.
The moist cold residue, however, suggest the projectiles were water based. The hatchet is unlike any hatchet they've seen, used in Varisia.
It is described as this
The projectile tosser's projectiles are mentioned 'cold'.
The hatchet is without doubt of northern making.
Only a skilled warrior could use these specially weighted throwing axes.
Thorn would look for tracks though unlikely to find any and question the Guards on if there were any problems associated with such skirmishes. Any reported injuries? Odd newcomers (Besides him) ? And such.
He will also mull over the design of the weapon in his thoughts and experiences with weaponry. If there need be convincing he applies his touch to another recipient (+4 to the check) as he was not the best at such things.
Sivar thinks about the weapons design
Non dwarves stand out, the guards mention humans coming in from port for trade. A few ships docked for restocking supplies.
Word had reached them that a rugged platinum blonde man with a braided beard arrived a short while ago and had stayed in the Iron Waves inn, near the docks. While outside, he wore a hood.
They mention another human, briefly spotted, to be a blonde man with a mohawk.
Skirmishes aren't common business, save for the few ones between minor crime gangs' with the guards, during an (attempted or not) arrest.
Thorn looks to the other two and explains his findings and consults Father Burdock Specifically, " D-Do you believe this is s-something we s-should handle as w-well? "
"I think...", Burdock pondering the unusual weapon before Thorn asks him the question. "At this point, I think anything strange should at least be looked at; could be those cultists making me paranoid, but if they thing they're going to get a grip in my home, those damned bastards will have another thing coming!"
Though rarely seen, it sounds like the work of a smith from the cold northern lands, who fine tune the blades and hilts of their axes and hatchets, for extra efficiency in throwing and close combat.
They often adorn them with engravings.
Talk says that their axes are very sharp, matched only by the dwarves.
Plus they don't rust as easily as the weapons made by other lands, as they are forged in the cold climates.
The axes are often used by trackers and warriors.
"Hmm, think we need to talk to lass Elsa about this.", Burdock describing the qualities of northern iron smithing in cold temperatures.
Yes Father Burdock? Elsa asks as she and Grint get close enough to hear the pious dwarf.